Imogen Calderwood
IT’S a finding that won’t surprise anyone living in Gibraltar.
A recent World Health Organisation (WHO) report has found La Linea to have the worst air pollution in Spain. The Algeciras Bay is home to one of the country’s largest petrochemical refineries.
Four other Andalucian towns were also included in the worst ten polluted list.
WHO’s urban air quality database covered 1600 cities across 91 countries showing more cities worldwide are monitoring outdoor air quality alongside growing recognition of air pollution’s health risks.
The shocking report highlighted the fact that half of the urban population is exposed to air pollution that is at least 2.5 times higher than the levels WHO recommends – putting those people at additional risk of serious, long-term health problems.
The WHO has called for greater awareness of health risks caused by air pollution, implementation of effective air pollution mitigation policies and close monitoring worldwide.
“Too many urban centres today are so enveloped in dirty air that their skylines are invisible,” said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Children and Women’s Health.
“Not surprisingly, this air is dangerous to breathe. So a growing number of cities and communities worldwide are striving to better meet the needs of their residents – in particular children and the elderly.”
The report wasn’t all gloom and doom for Andalucia, however. Marbella was rated by the WHO as the third-best city in Spain for air quality.
Ten most polluted Spanish cities
1. La Línea de la Concepción, Cádiz (18 microgramos/m3)
2. Toledo (17 microgramos/m3)
3. Málaga (17 microgramos/m3)
4. Barcelona (16 microgramos/m3)
5. Granada (16 microgramos/m3)
6. Jaén (16 microgramos/m3)
7. Logroño (16 microgramos/m3)
8. Sevilla (16 microgramos/m3)
9. Valencia (14 microgramos/m3)
10. Pamplona (14 microgramos/m3)
No surprise there, traffic sitting not moving equals pollution!! There are consequences for the current squabble!
Compare the results with other european cities. Nothing to worry.
(if you compare to asian cities we have very very clean air down here)
Hey,nothing like letting off steam
Too many stinking diesel cars in Spain.
“Compare the results with other european cities. Nothing to worry.”
Hmm, don’t worry, unless of course you live in La Linea.
Take a look at all of Spain’s quality indexes here, and notice all the ‘red zones’: “http://www.airqualitynow.eu/comparing_home.php”
the WORST of Spain isn’t that bad.
But the word ‘worst’ on this website, talking about Spain, gets people really excited.
Maybe the verbal pollution by moaning Brits on here is more of a problem?
when it comes to moaning spain has and still is no/1
The whole area is bad, Gibraltar included. You can really notice the differnce from even only a few miles up the coast – and it’s been getting worse, year after year.